Tyre choice

[lucky7]

I've signed up for Giro Della Donna, which includes a 13km gravel section - and a warning about wise equipment selection. I was thinking about rolling 25c tyres. Is there much benefit going up to 28c (if they'll fit)?

Looking at Conti GPs, as I usually run them on my bikes.

Anyone want to add their thoughts on tyre choice?

[Derny Driver]

Well everyone on here will cry 28 because bigger is supposedly always better. If it was me I wouldnt be scared of a bit of gravel. I have taken teams overseas and the boys have ridden some truly horrendous potholed and rutted gravel sections ...usually on 23mm tyres pumped to 120psi (gassspppp!!). without ANY problems. I have nice set of bombproof Enve 25mm tubbies which my son uses for really bad roads (tar or dirt). I cant see the point of 28s. If you are going to get a flat, you are going to get one. Just make sure your tyres are in good newish condition and pump those babies up so you dont get pinch flats.
Fire away lads

[Duck!]

I'd say toughness over width.

[lucky7]

What would be a tougher tyre choice?

[Duck!]

I have excellent durability with Continental Gatorskins.

[2wheels_mond]

I would stick with whatever you normally run, a bit of gravel won't hurt.

[cyclotaur]

I ride 25s (ContiGP4S) on my lighter wheels (FulcrumCXQuattro) and 28s (ContiGatorskins) on my heftier ones (FulcrumCX7). I've ridden that loop on both with no problems. I haven't been up there for several months but the gravel section is generally pretty good. I'd only bother with 28s for a bit of extra cushioning on a long day ride, perhaps, if your bike is a little harsh on the ar$e.

Oddly, I had a puncture on the rear 28 Gatorskin after descending 1:20 the other day, can't think or see how it happened so there's not much logic to punctures some of the time.

[Calvin27]

Gravel is not really a problem for most tyres. I've run 25c gators, gps2 and specialized armadillo. Most of the punctures I've have were what I call impact punctures. When I hit something hard and it usually happens when I hit pot holes or uneven paving that sticks out. Gravel should be fine.